Violent Femmes (all
males, by the by) was formed in 1980 in Milwaukee.
The name of the band has no real meaning, the founding
members just liked the way it sounded. While they
were making a name for themselves, the Violent Femmes
was known to play in bars and street corners of
Milwaukee. They got their big break after being
invited by Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) to play an
impromptu set prior to a Pretenders concert in 1981.

The band's
self-titled
album hit shelves in 1981, and their second release,
Hallowed Ground
(1984), was a turn in a more country music direction.
Their third release,
Blind Leading the Naked, was a turn back to a
more pop sound, and this album featured the minor T-Rex
cover "Children of the Revolution". It was their
1989 release,
3, which featured their first biggest non-movie
soundtrack hit ("Nightmares"). As far as movie
soundtrack songs go, some of you will remember the
Violent Femmes for the song
"Blister in the Sun", which was originally
released on their debut album and featured on the 1997
move Gross Pointe Blank. Another soundtrack
friendly song from this album was "Kiss Off".

The Violent Femmes
continued producing well into the 1990's and beyond,
even though they have split up and reunited a number of
times over the years. They were still active well
into the 2010's, although not with all original members.
The Violent Femmes Discography is as follows:

1983: Violent Femmes

1984: Hallowed Ground

1986: The Blind Leading the Naked

1989: 3

1990: Debacle: The First Decade

1991: Why Do Birds Sing?

1993: Add It Up (1981–1993)

1994: New Times

1995: Rock!!!!!

1999: Viva Wisconsin

2000: Freak Magnet

2001: Something's Wrong

2005: Permanent Record: The Very Best of Violent Femmes

2005: BBC Live

2006: Archive Series No. 1: Live in Iceland

2006: Archive Series No. 2: Live in Chicago Q101

1983Self-Titled Debut

BLISTER
IN THE SUN:[starts] When I'm out walking I strut my
stuff . . . Let me go on,
Like a blister in the sun, Let me go on,
Big hands I know you're the one [etc]